Headscarf challenge to Turkish secularism

Abdullah Gul, Turkey’s President, forced a change in the rituals of Republic Day on the 29 October 2010 by holding a single official reception, at which women wearing the Islamic headscarf – including his wife, Hayrunnisa – was present.

Many opposition politicians and army officers stayed away in protest at what they considered an unacceptable intrusion of Islam into the public life of Ataturk’s secular state.

ESO: Background information: Headscarf issue resurfaces in Turkey http://www.europeansources.info/record/headscarf-issue-resurfaces-in-turkey/

ESO: Background information http://www.europeansources.info/record/turkish-court-upholds-headscarf-ban/

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